NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 9-14-2021

Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.  Those in attendance were Craig Knox, Fire Chief; Jeffery Cohen, Assistant Fire Chief; James R. Smith, Derek Dozer and Randy Elson; Township Trustees and Paula Frank, Fiscal Officer. Also in attendance were:  Larken Slack, Jeremy Yarger, 

Meeting was called to order by Trustee Dozer at 6:00 pm.

Pledge to the flag was led by Derek Dozer.

Agenda:  approved.  

Minutes:  approved.

Public Participation:   None.

Fire Department Business:  Rescue 1081 – air brakes were not releasing and the rear brakes need replaced.  It will cost between $8 and $9K to replace just the rear brakes.  Crawmer’s is going to do that work.  Wes Kelly called around and Crawmer’s was the cheapest and they could get the parts.  Chad Hina and Andy James passed A-EMT certifications.  Fire inspections have been completed at schools.  Mason is teaching Andy James how to do inspections.  

The department has gotten the exhaust system grant in the amount of $ 76,190.48

Aladdin Shriners have awarded thermal imaging equipment grant.

Training div – online platform is being transitioned to Target Solutions which offers more capabilities.  

New FF I class on Tues and Thurs nights – going thru mid-January.

Instructors class and fall EMT class.

Concrete is underway and the driveway will be opened by Community Days weekend.  Discussed with Jason the need to spread some gravel between two stages of concrete so it can be driven over for that weekend.  It will have to be dug back out after the weekend is over.  Helicopter pad – discussed a sidewalk but that was not put in the bid.  New lighting is needed and Craig is hoping one of the helicopter companies will pay for that when the time comes.

BBQ is September 26 – parade is 25th at 6:30pm.  Staging area is at the Sidwell farm house.  They are going to do dine-in and carry out and not drive through.  

Medic replacement – demo truck is ready to start the assembly line.  It is a Dodge chassis in lieu of a Ford.  They will build it as a demo but the department gets to spec it out.  The base spec price $240K.  The cost for the custom changes to match the other trucks will be $25K - $40K.  Payment is not due until delivery of truck which will be 8 – 10 months.  Mark Zanghi has not been back in touch with FO on whether ARP funds could be used for this purchase.  Discussion followed about the set up of the new chassis versus the old Ford chassis.  The box will be the same size as the previous trucks.  In order to get the custom changes, we have to sign an agreement now.  Derek made a motion to use ARP funds if allowable, to purchase the truck but also understands that the if that cannot be used, we will finance the truck.  Runs have quadrupled since the 2006 truck was purchased.  Jim smith seconded the motion.  All in favor aye and none were opposed.

Assistant Chief -- Jeffrey Cohen reporting:  Computer / phone system – server is out of date and Jeffrey Cohen suggests going to Cloud based products.  OTARMA’s risk management agreed that was the way to go.  Check recording lots of email website, domain name, etc. through GoDaddy.  9 years with privacy protection, with 3 years of email, $9011.16.  Keytel who currently takes care of the server wants $963 / per month.  Domains are $400 and security is $200.  Email accounts are $84----- for 3 years.  After 3 years we can re-negotiate.  Phone system – there is still more info to gather.  The company that Jeffrey has used at other places allows 2500 minutes per month is what is allowed and he does not see the department ever using that many minutes.  We will need own control box which is around $375.  Discussion followed about funds available to make these upgrades.  Craig and FO discussed and determined the money is available and what funds to use.  

Jim made motion to pay the $9K and Randy seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the motion carried.

Road Report – Crack in frame on International dump truck.  He is going to take it to Jim Smith and see what it will take to fix it.  The Mahon road slip has been repaired again.  Discussion followed about the repair.  Jason asked if the trustees minded if he got some topsoil to backfill around the new concrete.  The trustees agreed that was fine.  Jason asked if he was seeding and spreading straw.  Craig said either that or the guys can do it, whichever.  Larry is currently in the hospital so Jason is short an employee.  They discussed Aaron Taylor, his brother, could step in and help until Larry is back.  Derek made a motion to temporarily hire him Randy seconded – all were in favor and motion carried.  FO will get Jason the paperwork to give to Aaron so we can get him started.  

Derek asked if he was done on Harlan – Jason said yes but now they are logging on that road.  Mr. Coles – nothing was ever received by any of the trustees that there was a problem with the tree on his road.  Jason removed several trees on the road.

Crock road has some dead trees that need taken out from when the county replaced culverts.  Jim said for Jason to get some prices on getting them removed.  

Old Business – Browning fence – Jim said for Jason to take down the small section and Mr. Browning will put the fencing away.  Jim will call Mr. Browning before Jason shows up to take the fence down.

New Business – none.

Trustees Reports:     

Smith— none.

Dozer— none.

Elson— none.

Fiscal Officer Report:

• Distributed Grassroots Clippings 

• The audit is finished and the report is in the Trustee packets.

• Payroll Certifications – required monthly by the Auditor of State

• ARP funds have been received - $272,457.51.

• Resolution 08/2021 – Resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor.

• Resolution 09/2021 – Appropriating ARP funds for use in updating the township server / email accounts.

• Bolyard follow-up –nothing new this month.  The junk car issue is 

• OTARMA Cybersecurity form – Derek and Craig are almost finished with it.  It is due tomorrow.

• ODOT Stimulus program for townships – deadline is November 19, 2021.

Trustee Dozer made a motion to pay bills.  Trustee Elson seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

All bills presented were deemed to be valid expenditures and were to be paid as presented.

Next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.